Young Matildas slump to defeat

The Young Matildas suffered a setback in their campaign to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, with Kwon Song-Hwa's powerful strike in the 22nd minute the only goal of the match.

Australia was looking for its second consecutive victory at the Asian U-19 championship, but failed to make the most of its chances.

However, Hopkins believed his side's cause wasn't helped by some alleged gamesmanship from its opponent.

In the final moments of the game, with Australia pushing for an equaliser, a number of Korean players went down with cramp.

"I think it is a poor show, poor sportsmanship really. I saw exactly the same in the game the other night," he told the tournament's website.

"I don't really want to make any comment about it, it's just something that we don't believe should go on.

"As a team it's something we won't do, it is just a poor show."

Korea DPR coach Sin Ui-gun denied his players had simulated injury.

"(The cramping) was only because they were too tired and the lack of water inside them. It was not intended injury," he said.

Australia plays Japan on Monday in the third of its five U-20 Women's World Cup qualification matches.

The Young Matildas must finish in the top half of the six-team Asian tournament to qualify for the World Cup.